The Wisconsin Ideation & Local Development (WILD) Initiative—formerly known as the Wisconsin Innovation Group—is looking to involve participants and their credit unions in a nine-month process to develop financial products, services, and business models that increase credit unions' relevance as Americans' best financial partner.
The effort kicks off in August and continues through the remainder of the year, into 2019. Apply now or nominate someone you think would do a great job innovating on behalf of credit unions. Applications and/or nominations are due by August 10.
It is Wisconsin credit unions' commitment to participate actively in the disruptive transformation of financial services while preserving their singular commitment to member financial wellness.
"You'll go from observing and identifying problems, to creating the type of innovative solutions that your members can’t clearly articulate today, but when they see them, are going to say, ‘This is exactly what I needed,’" said Elry Armaza, Impact Director & Analyst, Filene Research Institute.
The effort is a collaboration of The Wisconsin Credit Union League and Corporate Central Credit Union, which are coordinating and funding the program; Filene Research Institute, which engages participants in the ideation, development, and implementation; and credit unions, which dedicate themselves to a nine-month process of engagement.
Participants will move from insights to ideation, prototyping, testing, and an official unveiling of homegrown innovation at The League’s 2019 Annual Convention & Exposition.
The program aims to:
- Significantly impact a credit union's strategy and member service, rather than present a short-term fix
- Immerse participants in a leadership opportunity that clarifies a vision for their credit union
- Instill in participating credit unions a deliberate, comprehensive, and disciplined approach to innovation
- Develop new capabilities for innovation that empower teams over the long term
- Stretch and build internal competencies that continually foster solution building
- Help credit unions realize their potential offering REAL Solutions®
- Strengthen credit unions as promoters of financial wellness in Wisconsin
The selected participants must belong to The Wisconsin Credit Union League. They must represent credit unions of diverse sizes, geography, and fields of membership. They must demonstrate leadership, passion, and a collaborative spirit, and they must commit to a nine-month process of engagement, including an innovation showcase at The League's 2019 Annual Convention & Exposition.
Timeline:
- August 10: Applications and/or nominations due
- Week of August 27: Participants will be chosen and notified
- October 16–17: Innovation Immersion
- TBD: Prototyping session
- October–May 2019: Ideation, prototyping, testing, and implementation of homegrown innovations
- May 2019: Wisconsin Innovation Showcase at The League’s Annual Convention & Exposition
Please direct questions to Josh Roberts, The League Vice President of System Collaboration & Development at (608) 640-4065, or Julie Woloszyn, Corporate Central Credit Union’s Director-Brand Awareness at (414) 427-3647.
